âItihas tab rachte hai,
Jab bade hauslon ke sang;
Bade sapne sajte hai. â
Third Person's POV:
Arya drove the car silently to the destination which Altan told him about.
Altan simply told him that he plans to dismantle a man and Arya being a concerned mom did throw several questions his way but Altan didn't give away the reason behind his mission.
The car came to a stop at a well furnished house and the both guys got down.
Altan had his disguise on as well as Arya. Altan took the lead and Arya trailed behind him.
Altan knocked on the door and it was opened by a man who looked like he was in his early fifties.
"Kaun chahiye aapko?"
Altan looked at the man and he clearly knew he was the one who he was searching for as Zaviyar did send him a photo of him.
But nonetheless; he asked, "Imran Durrani se milna tha."
The man bobbed his head positively, "Main hi hu Imran, aap kaun?"
A muscle in Altan's jaw twitched in anger but he controlled it as it wasn't the right moment for him to unleash his anger.
"Mahoor Durrani ke baare mein kuch baat karni thi, bhatiji hai aapki?"
The color drained out of Imran's face upon hearing her name. He didn't forget how he was imprisoned for six months for the charges of molestation.
He was granted bail after rotting in jail for a year and half though Zorawar tried his best to put him in bars for at least five years but the court always turned a blind eye to the justice.
"Na..nahi koi bhatiji nahi lagti woh meri. Sare rishte khatam ho chuke hai humare ussey, jab uske baap yani mere bade bhai ka inteqal hogaya tha."
Altan faked a sorrowful expression and hummed, "Chalein koi baat nahi, aap koi rishtedar ka number de do hum unhi ko yeh lakh rupay de aayenge."
Imran's eyes shone with greed as he asked, "Ek lakh rupay?"
"Han, Mahoor ke abba ne unke liye kuch paise chode the humare yaha unke liye par suna hai woh India mein nahi rehti ab isiliye unke koi rishtedar ko dhund rahe hai unhe yeh paise transfer karne ke liye."
Arya, who was unaware of the situation, was already surprised by the act of Altan. His mouth fell open in disbelief when he heard about his made up story about Mahoor.
'Chal kya raha hai iske dimag mein?' Arya thought.
"Oh. Andar aau, baith ke baat karte hai."
'Yeh phasa shikar, shikari ke jaal mein.' Altan smirked inwardly.
Altan entered the house and Imran made them sit on a couch. Imran sat down on the single seat sofa, "Kya hai na Mahoor apni bacchi hai. Bin baap ki beti hai, bhaiya ussey bohot pyar karte the aur laadli thi woh humare bhaiya ki, itni ki woh usey koi chamatkar se kam nahi samajhte the."
Altan's nostrils flared as he glared hostile at Imran. He rubbed the fake beard on his chin and asked calmly, "Isiliye tere bhai ki ladli beti jo sirf tera saal ki thi, uspe tune haath daal na munasib samjha?"
Imran visibly trembled and dropped the glass he was filling water to give to the unwelcome guest.
"Ka-kaun ho tum log?" Panicking, he stood up hastily, "Niklo mere ghar se."
Altan pulled Imran's finger and made him sit down.
"Arey paise tou le lo."
"MAINE KAHA NIKLO MERE GHAR SE..."
Altan put his hand in his kameez's pocket and removed his icebrand sword. In a blink of an eye, he slashed the sword on Imran's forearm and his hand fell off, splashing the blood in places.
Clutching his half ripped hand, Imran screamed in agony. Whereas Arya sat there astounded.
He was trying to decipher what was actually going on but he somewhere understood that Imran was the uncle of Mahoor's and he put his hands on her.
"YEH KYUN KIYA? MAINE KYA KIYA THA??"
Altan rested his back on the sofa, spreading his hands over the head of the couch, he crossed his leg over his knee, "Chilla aur zor se chilla, maza aa rahi hai mujhe."
Imran stared at his fallen body part in horror then back at Altan as he released a sob.
"Kyu kar rahe ho yeh sab? Mujhe chordo, pl-please."
Altan shook his head and clicked his tongue, "Naah," he grabbed his sword and looked at the blood dripping down from the sharp blade.
He ran down his forefinger in the red liquid, "Meri Mahoor ko haath laga ne se pehle sochna chahiye tha. Usay dard pohchane se pehle tujhe khuda ka khyal aana chahiye tha." He averted his sneering gaze to Imran and roared in fury, "Kya soch ke tune apni gandi nazar meri aurat pe daali?"
Imran cried, "Bhatak gaya tha rasta, mujhe maaf kardo. Mujhe khuda ke liye ch-chod do. Main police ko bhi nahi bataunga kuch, bass mu-mujhe chod do."
Altan sprinkled the blood which was on his fingers on Imran's face, "Woh maaf nahi, mu'aaf hota hai. Urdu sahi kar apni."
Imran bobbed his head in happiness, thinking he was now being left for good,"Sahi kar lunga, bass mujhe chod do.â
Altan's face darkened,"Kisne kaha ki tu azad hogaya?"
Imran felt as if someone poured a cold bucket of water on him. He sat there numb, not knowing what to do or not.
His brain couldn't think of anything but to sprint off.
So, he did.
He stood up from the single seat of the sofa and dashed to the door but before he could make it to the end, his other arm fell off and the whole room was bathing in blood.
Altan ripped off Imran's leg, making him fall to the ground and cry in immense pain.
He lowered himself to ground where Imran was weeping in ache by now looking at his separate body parts.
Altan gritted his teeth and punched Imran in the face. He wrapped his fingers on Imran's throat, "Tune socha uska koi nahi hai," he tightened his grip, choking the life out of him,"koi dekhega nahi, kuch karega nahi. Jail mein bhi tujhe tere karmo ki saza tujhe mili nahi, isiliye main hi tera hisab karne aaya hu."
Seeing Imran's face getting red due to the lack of oxygen, Altan shoved him.
"Jin hathon se tune usey takleef pohchai, jo pairo se tu uska peecha karte raha, wohi nahi chode, aur yahi hai teri saza ki tu teri aakhri saans tak ek apahij banke rahe!"
Altan gave Imran a once over and kicked him in the gut, before leaving his house, keeping his head high.
Arya massaged his temples as he sat down in the driver's and ignited the engine back to life.
Altan removed his kameez and changed into another one. He had a bag in his car knowing very clearly that his hands and clothes would get bloody so he must keep some to his rescue.
Arya drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, "Ab kahan chale?"
Altan put his black shades on, folding his hands on his chest, he leaned back on the seat.
"Lodge chalte hai koi, shaam tak waise bhi waqt katna hai."
Arya agreed and Altan only waited for this day to end and the night to begin for him to execute his plan.
â¢â¡â¢
Mahoor stood reciting the duas in front of the grave of her loving one who was resting six feet down in the soil. She cleaned the tombstone and picked out the dry leaves, and she watered the soil.
She blew out the dua and sat down near the marble of the grave.
She stared at the name on the tombstone and caressed it.
Sinan Durrani..
Her eyes watered and Mahoor couldn't hold it in anymore. Her body shook with an uncountable number of sobs.
She wept and wept at the loss of her father who was the only precious being of her life.
Though she had a dysfunctional bond with her father, she loved him to death more than she loved her mother.
She came down from her high as she sniffed, "Sorry, pappa. Yahan aana mujhe acha nahi lagta kyun ke yaha aake mujhe pata chalta hai ki aap sahi mein iss duniya mein nahi ho."
A tear rolled down her cheek, "Main apne aapko yeh baat keh ke mana leti hu ki aap koi delivery karne gaye ho aur pehle jaise teen chaar din mein wapis aa jaoge par.."
She bit her lip as a sob enveloped her body, "Par aa..aap kabhi laut ke wapis aate nahi."
Mahoor wiped her fallen tears and smiled lightly, "Main pehli baar out of country jaa rahi hu woh bhi Philippines! Maine pure 10 mahine training li aur do saal auditions mein papad bele tab jaa ke mujhe finalize kia! Aur dekho main aaj raat flight pakad rahi hu aur apni zindagi nayi shuruwat kar rahi hu."
"Seyran ko bhi le jaa rahi hu kyuke mujhe do tickets mili thi apne manager ko bhi saath lejane par meri behen hi meri manager hai!" she chuckled lightly.
As Seyran was going to be her manager, she'd also get paid for her hard work.
Seyran had her degree completed in business and was working at a cafe reception and saving money, so was Mahoor as they planned to start a business in the make-up industry.
The both were working day and night just for their dreams to come true.
Mahoor's dream was to become an influencer who'd be happy to grab the second lead roles as she didn't want to go for bold scenes and clothes for being charged as the lead actress.
She'd surely accept the offers for the main female actress if only she's comfortable with the scenes and clothing provided to her.
Mahoor always wanted to do business and so did Seyran. Once the little girls played dress up and dreamed to touch the sky, now Mahoor's one step towards her passion was leading the two little girls to their dreams.
"Yaad hai aapko aapne mujhe kitna bura maare the jab maine school ke drama competition mein part lia tha? Yaad hai woh thappad aapne mujhe lagayi thi jab main singing competition mein first aayi thi?"
Mahoor's lips wobbled, "Mere khwabon ka qatl kiya tha aapne, kabhi mujhe khud ki marzi se kuch na karne dia, hamesha roka aap ne. Hamesha aap ne mujhe saza di har choti cheez ke liye chahe woh koi school ke competition mein part lena ho ya fir ghanto tak khelna hi kyu na ho."
Mahoor stood up and she swabbed away her tears.
She smiled with pride and a strong feeling of self confidence ran in her veins,"Ab aap dekhna mera har khwab pura hoga, kyuke mere saath Allah hai aur mujhe khud pe yaqeen hai, mere logo ko mujh pe yaqeen hai."
She shut her eyes and the picture of Seyran, Vani, Ayan and Robin flashed before her eyes.
The gust of wind caressed her face, making the tendrils of her thick hair to flow with it.
Mahoor opened her eyes, touched the grave. Retreating her hand back, she placed it on her heart.
Saving the touch of her loved one.
"Chalti hu, main tou Rab se kehti hi hu par aap mere Allah se kehna ab unki yeh bandi yaha nahi rukegi uske hi raaj mein aasman chuyegi, ameen!"
Giving a last look to her father's grave, Mahoor left the cemetery.
She took an uber to her abode and reached home in fifteen minutes.
Stepping down the rickshaw, she paid the fare and walked to the apartment.
Her steps ceased, her body stilled. Her eyes widened and mouth fell ajar in surprise.
Her eyes watered seeing the two men grinning at her startled expression.
Mahoor ran and threw herself on them, knowing very clearly that they both would catch her effortlessly.
Ayan and Robin laughed, holding her tightly in her embrace.
"Kaisa laga surprise, meri pataka?" Robin patted her back lovingly.
Mahoor backed away a bit, still holding on to them both, "World's best surprise ever!"
The trio hugged each other firmly and let go of them after a few minutes.
Ayan brushed her hair back from her face, "Kaisi hai, heroine?"
"Thik hu magar ab tum log jo aa gaye ho, jhakkas hogayi hu main. Par tum log yaha kaise aur kab aaye?"
Robin pointed a finger to her apartment, "Waha dekh.."
They all turned their heads in that direction and Seyran came out with her phone, showing that she recorded everything.
"Hum dono ne kal hi planning ki thi aur Seyran hi aayi hum ko airport se uthane."
Seyran rolled her eyes, "Lene aayi thi, uthane nahi, Robin!
"Tu samjhi na? Bass hai."
Mahoor chuckled and dragged them both to the building, "Accha chalo baaki ki baat ghar pe karenge, tum log kuch khaye ho ke nahi woh bhi nahi pata."
"Nahi, yaar. Khana agli baar abhi humein jana hai!"
Mahoor's brows furrowed and she looked between them, "Abhi tou tum dono aaye ho aur abhi chale jaoge?"
Ayan and Robin peered at each other, Ayan shifted on his feet, "Flight hai humari ek ghante mein, Mumbai ki," he murmured.
Mahoor scrutinized her gaze at them and her face turned blank. She snapped her fingers and pushed the boys back, "Chalo, niklo. Abhi yaha se niklo."
"Arey, mahi yaar!
"Arey, chamgadad aurat, dhakka tou nahi maar." Robin yelled.
"Tum log aaye hi kyu agar jana hi tha tou?"
Robin pouted, "Tujhse milne aaye the yaar, tu teen mahine milegi nahi isiliye socha tera sona mukhda dekh le par tu hai ki humein dhakke maar ke nikaal rahi hai."
"Kuch baatein bhi batani thi tumhe." Ayan said.
Mahoor crossed her hands on her chest, "Bolo, kya baat hai?"
Robin grinned, "Main Bangalore jaa raha hu, mujhe finally approval mil gaya company ki tarah taraf se internship ke liye, jis mein maine apply kia tha."
Mahoor squealed and jumped in ecstasy. She knew for how long and hard Robin was trying to get that internship.
She opened her arms for him to hug her, "Congratulations, Bin Bin!!"
Robin scoffed and by holding her face in his palm, he shoved her back.
"Kitni baar kaha hai mujhe bin bin nahi bulaya kar."
Ayan and Seyran chuckled, seeing the duo bicker.
Mahoor nodded, "Haa, bin bin se zyada, dustbin suit karega."
Stepping towards her, Robin threw his arm around her neck and choked her.
"Ab bol! Kaun dustbin?"
Mahoor thrashed in his hold but she sang merrily, "Bin, Bin, Robin. Tu hi hai dustbin."
Ayan came forward and freed Mahoor from his clasp. Robin did hold her tight but not enough to hurt her.
"Saale janwar, teri biwi ko dio chokehold."
Robin smirked and ruffled his hair, "Usey tou bhai, personally raat mein dunga."
The three of them gagged and Robin cracked up.
"Isey chod, Mahoor." Ayan turned to Mahoor, "Main bhi China ke liye nikal raha hu, ap.. apni martial art skills aur improve karne under a kung fu master."
Mahoor slapped her hand on her mouth, "Sacchi?"
Ayan smiled and nodded, "Sacchi."
"Yaar, mubarak ho! Hum sab ke bhagya khul aaye."
Seyran groaned, "Naseeb kehte hai usey! Urdu bol, teri matra bhasha urdu hai."
Mahoor's face screwed into a grimace, "Ji, teacher sahiba, agli baar zarur yaad rakhungi."
"Accha, ab hum nikalte hai." Robin said, grabbing the girl's attention.
"Vani aane wali thi par woh uske gaon mein atak gayi hai."
Mahoor nodded her head in agreement, "I know. Kal hi baat hui meri ussey."
Ayan put his hand in the pocket and fetched out a pearl bracelet. Taking Mahoor's hand in his, he slid the pearl string in her hand,"To the new beginnings."
Robin handed her a gift and Mahoor unwrapped it revealing a cute leather wallet.
She brushed her finger against the soft material and thanked the boys.
Robin held her face in his huge palms,"Hamari Mahoor, ab ek influencer se actress ban jayegi. Woh din dur nahi jab India ki top actress ban jayegi."
Her eyes welled up with tears, "Tu rulane aaya hai mujhe?"
Robin chuckled, "Nahi. Par ab se tu sirf khushi ke aasu royegi, sab sahi hoga ab."
A tear rolled down her cheek as she dipped her head in harmony.
Ayan who was holding Seyran by her shoulders, walked to the duo and they all hugged each other in a unison.
Mahoor felt blessed even though she was robbed off from the relationship of her parents, the platonic love she received from these loving fellows meant the world to her.
No matter what corner of the universe she'd be, she knew they would always be there and come for her and so would she.
Because this was the family she made.
They were not fusioned with blood but with immense love.
To not make Seyran feel out of the moment, Robin kissed her temple.
Ayan ruffled the girl's hair, earning a whine from them, "Khyal rakho, ladkio apna. Koi kuch kahe tou muh tod jawab deke aana aur koi kuch kare tou cheer ke aana."
They all laughed in unison, welcoming the brand new beginnings of their life together.
Only if they knew..
â¢â¡â¢
Throwing the last bag in the trunk, Mahoor shut down the car's dikki and slapped the dust from her hands.
Seyran looked at her watch, "Bhai kaha hai?"
Leaning against the SUV, Mahoor stood with Seyran,"Gham mana rahe hai shayad humare jaane ka."
Seyran smiled giddily at her own thoughts, raising Mahoor's concern.
Mahoor raised her eyebrows at her, "Kya tum meku batayenge, tum pagalo jaisa kaiku khil khilare?"
Seyran swung her head from left to right with the smile still dancing on her face, she patted Mahoor's cheek, "Ab sirf khushi ke dina hai, Mahoor. Rone ke dina gaye. Ab apan sirf phoolon ki tarah khilenge."
Mahoor's eyes twinkled with joy as she gazed up at the sky, "Tera shukriya, Ya Rabul Aalameen."
Seyran's face contorted with worry, "Ya Allah, gyara baj chuke hai, char baje ki flight hai. Airport nazdeek hai iska matlab yeh nahi Ki Zorawar bhaiya hilte dulte aaye."
"Ruk main call karti hu.." Before Mahoor could dial Zorawar's number, he appeared in front of their sight.
"Kya hai bhai yeh? Ek ghante se intizar kar rahe hum dono, itna late kyu ho gaye aap?"
Zorawar gulped and hesitated to reply but nonetheless he did, "Kuch kaam tha bas isiliye deri ho gayi. Tumne sara samaan rakh lia?"
Seyran nodded and Mahoor noticed Zorawar's condition. His eyes and nose were red and his hair was shelved which was always in place.
He was behaving oddly which only raised the questions in her mind.
Mahoor stood straight and asked, "Sab thik bhai? Mere jaane ke gham mein aap bawale tou nahi ho gaye joh aankh naak laal karke laaye ho?"
Zorawar smiled which didn't reach his eyes, "zaban nahi ladaunga tumse ab bass chalo, varna der hojayegi."
He settled down in the driver's seat and Mahoor gave a look to Seyran, communicating silently about what has gotten into him today to act out of conduct.
Seyran shrugged and sat down in the back passenger seat and Mahoor in the front.
They both decided that after a stop in between their journey, they'd swap their seats as they both would then equally get the chance to sit further.
Zorawar drove silently while Mahoor and Seyran bickered about their outfits.
Mahoor was wearing a red plain anarkali which she paired with cigarette pants. Her white color dupatta had red pigments. Small golden jhumkas with white pearls dangled in her ears and her hair was tied in a loose braid.
A shawl was wrapped around her torso, shielding her from the cold.
"Bhai, aaj aap bohot chup hai." Mahoor said.
"Bas, kaam se pareshan hu."
Seyran looked at the passing by sceneries and her eyebrows drew together, "Bhai, yeh rasta tou airport ko nahi jata."
Sweat trailed down from Zorawar's temple, "Short-cut hai."
Mahoor gave a glance at her surroundings, "Jungle mein se kaha se aata hai short cut bhai woh bhi airport ko?"
They all bounced back and forth in their seats as the car abruptly stopped in the middle of nowhere.
"Ab kya hogaya isey?" Zorawar unlocked his seatbelt and got out of the car.
Mahoor and Seyran stepped out of the SUV and saw Zorawar muttering profanities under his breath.
"Tire puncture ho gaya yaar."
Mahoor folded her hands across her chest, giving a 'really? this time as well' look to her cousin, she tilted her head to the side.
Seyran blew out a puff of air, "Accha hua jaldi nikle hai, ab aap isey jaldi thik karein tou hum bhi jaldi ponche."
Nodding, Zorawar went around to the back of the car to get the necessary tools.
Mahoor and Seyran stood there, discussing yesterday's proposal of Altan aka Haider.
"Yaar, banda itni sahi sahi baatein bola tujhe aur tu hai ki na bol ke aa gayi."
Mahoor groaned, "Nahi, yaar. Kyu khamaka kisi ke liye kuch hai nahi tou uske saath rahu? Upar se woh shadi ke liye keh raha tha, meri umar hai shadi ki? Bacchi hu main ekkis saal ki sirf."
Seyran gave her a sarcastic smile, "Haa, haa. Abhi abhi tou tumhare daant aaye hai, abhi tou tumne chal na sikhna hai."
Mahoor pushed her a little, "Bhakk, yaha se!"
They were lost in their own world but their conversation halted as a blinding headlight of a car flashed on their faces, making the duo cover their eyes because of the strong exposure of the white lights.
The car stopped in front of their SUV, a few feet away from them.
The headlights turned off and the door of the car opened.
Mahoor retrieved her hand back from her face, "Yeh jungle main mangal karne kaun aaya hai?"
The person stepped down from the car and came in front. Their footsteps echoed in the eer silence.
Mahoor's forehead creased as she couldn't see who the person was as his head was lowered.
He raised his head, revealing himself.
Mahoor's eyes widened, "Aap?"
Altan's mouth twitched, "Kaha tha na jald mulaqat hogi humari."
Mahoor clicked her tongue, "Itni jaldi hogi yeh nahi pata tha. Par aap tou aaj subah hi gyara baje jaane wale the na?"
Altan nodded, "Haa par dil nahi mana."
Mahoor lifted an eyebrow, "Toh aap yaha kyu aaye ho?"
Altan stood straight and walked to her. He stopped when he stood right before her, maintaining a good inch between them.
The corner of his mouth quirked up, "Meri dulhan ko lene aaya hu."
â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢
Mirza sahab jaisa insaf har koi karein, ameenðð¼
Ummeed thi ki Altan aayega wapis? ð¤
As we are moving ahead in the story all I feel is that the book is coming to the end but there's so much left.
Don't worry this book is not ending up so soon ;)
My exam begins from 20th march and ends on the 4th of April. So you all won't get frequent updates or any chapter till I'm done with my papers.
Wish me luck and pray for me guys ð«¶ð¼
Actually I wasn't planning to give an update this early but baewakuf requested me and asked something from me for the first time and I didn't have the heart to put down her wishes.
The update was supposed to be up yesterday only but I went to an unknown adventure and it consumed my all time.
I so wanna tell you all what I did but gotta keep my mouth shut.
I might take some time to update the chapter as I'll start the preparation of my exams now because all these days I was simply procrastinating aur har koi bhai ek din exam ke pehle hi kholta hai kitab.
All the chapters are unedited, so pick out the mistakes and help each other by translating out some phrases for them if they ask.
Okiees?
I sound like your all motherð
Itni updates de di hai zara mere dil ko khush kar do votes aur bhar bhar ke comment karkeð«°ð¼
Tata, see you all soon!